Month: November 2018

Overall, last night’s election results offered mixed results from wherever you stand on the political spectrum. But through the lens of the impact on teachers and students in New York State, there is reason to celebrate.

Most of NYSUT’S endorsed candidates in the State Senate and Assembly won, and so, for the first time in years, we have reason to feel optimistic about how Albany will respond to the needs of public education in New York during the next legislative session.

Sadly, Baldwin reading teacher Christine Pellegrino, who we helped elect 18 months ago in a special election, and who had quickly established herself as a dynamic fighter within the Assembly, did not win her bid for reelection. But as we look at former teachers called to politics, Monica Martinez, a former teacher from Brentwood, narrowly defeated Dean Murray in the third Senate District. Much of the credit for that victory goes to volunteers, including close to 100 NYSUT members who knocked on doors for her this past Saturday.

We want to express our tremendous gratitude to all the SWRTA members who volunteered their personal time this election cycle (making phone calls, sorting and distributing cards, canvasing) to help elect candidates who will protect public education.

If (when) things go our way in the coming year, we will all have you to thank.